LEACH IS RELISHING SRI LANKA RETURN
JACK LEACH has happy memories of his last tour to Sri Lanka.
But his recollections of the last 12 months are less than cheery.
The Somerset spinner took 18 wickets as England trounced the hosts 3-0 in November 2018.
Alongside Moeen
Ali (below) and Adil Rashid, England’s bespectacled Ashes hero put Sri Lanka’s batsmen in a spin as the trio of slow bowlers claimed 48 scalps in the series.
Now, he’s preparing to head back there, having not played for his country since November 2019.
In between he was hospitalised with sepsis before spending this summer carrying drinks as a non-playing member of England’s Covidsecure bubble.
Little wonder that he’s desperate to get back playing.
“I would be lying if I told you I found it (the bubble) easy,” he said.
“I sometimes feel bad saying that because I know I’m lucky to do what I do.
“On the outside it probably does look very glamorous and we’re fully aware as a team of just how tough a time some people have had it.
“We had it good in some ways and we’re very aware of that.
“I’ve tried to use the experience to push me and hopefully I’ve learnt some good lessons.”
Fortunately for Leach, the upcoming tours to Sri Lanka and India offer him the chance to be a central figure in England’s plans once again. He said: “It’s quite exciting for me, just the thought of playing some matches.
“This little period has gone on a bit longer than I would have liked, I’ve had to be a bit patient.
“Hopefully going back to Sri Lanka will be the start of something good.”
Meanwhile, Joe Denly is currently in the midst of a two week stint in a balcony-less hotel room in Perth following his arrival for the Big Bash.
Denly’s imposed incarceration will incorporate the whole Christmas period and it will not end until December 29.